Students undertaking nursing and midwifery diplomas in England are to continue to receive their NHS bursary payments throughout pregnancy and childbirth, Secretary of State for Health Patricia Hewitt has announced. Interim arrangements, which have been backdated to 1 June 2005, aim to ensure that women who would have otherwise had to abandon their studies can continue to pursue a career in the NHS.
Bursary payment support for student nurses
The continued bursary payments have the support of UNISON, The Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Nursing who have worked closely with the Department of Health to introduce the changes.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said: “By supporting these women through pregnancy and childbirth we hope that they will go on to have fruitful careers in the NHS. By providing this support, we want to send a positive message to students that in their subsequent NHS careers they will be joining an organisation that has supportive, family friendly values.”
